Unit 1 The Meaning of Words

Unit Objective: At the end of this unit, the learner will (TLW) evaluate the cultural impact of American English development in an essay based on the scoring guide (PS 13,15)
Essential Question : How has the development of our language affected communication?

Terms to Know

1. Etymology 7. Idioms
2. Philology 8. Double Entendre
3. Language 9. Eggcornph
4. Lexicon 10. Mondegreen
5. Cultural Diffusion 11. Euphimisms
6. Dialect 12. Colloquialisms
Readings/Handouts
1. MSNBC article on School Spankings (8/19/2008)
Questions for Consideration
1. How has technology affected how we communicate now?
2. Why do some words have more meaning that others?
3. What constitutes language and from where does it come?
4. Is African-American Vernacular (AAEV) a viable language?
5. Euphemisms- In this era of political correctness, are we truly being sensitive to everyone's needs or are we just too sensitive?
6. What are the possible consequences if colloquialisms become Standard English?
Extension
Research examples fo Idioms, Eggcorns, and Mondegreens or new colloquialisms added to the most recent dictionary edition.